Coiled tubing deployed single phase fluid sampling apparatus

Abstract

A coiled tubing deployed fluid sampler ( 50 ) for collecting a single phase fluid sample from a well. The fluid sampler ( 50 ) is actuated to establish fluid communication between an interior ( 56 ) and an exterior of the fluid sampler ( 50 ) such that a fluid sample is obtained from the well in a chamber ( 92 ) of the fluid sampler ( 50 ). The fluid pressure in the coiled tubing string is then increased, which pressurizes the fluid sample in the chamber ( 92 ). Thereafter, the coiled tubing and the fluid sampler ( 50 ) are retrieved to the surface with the pressurized fluid sample remaining above its saturation pressure during collection and retrieval to the surface.

1. A coiled tubing deployed fluid sampling apparatus for collecting a single phase fluid sample from a well extending below a surface of the earth, the apparatus comprising:
 a coiled tubing string having a tubing bore; 
 a housing connected to the coiled tubing string, the housing including an opening; 
 an actuator disposed within the housing, the actuator operable to establish fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the housing through the opening; 
 a first one-way valve disposed within the housing that defines a first end of a sample fluid chamber; 
 a first floating piston disposed within the housing that defines a second end of the sample fluid chamber and a first end of a metering fluid chamber; 
 a second floating piston disposed within the housing that defines a second end of the metering fluid chamber and a first end of a charging chamber; 
 a second one-way valve disposed within the housing that defines a second end of the charging chamber; 
 a pressure source located above the surface of the earth in fluid communication with the charging chamber through the tubing bore; and 
 a restrictor disposed within the housing between the first and second floating pistons, 
 wherein, upon the actuator establishing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the housing through the opening, a fluid sample from the well enters the sample fluid chamber, the fluid sample passes through the first one-way valve and acts on the first floating piston to expand the sample fluid chamber, 
 wherein a metering fluid in the metering fluid chamber passes through the restrictor in response to the fluid sample acting on the first floating piston, the metering fluid controlling the rate of expansion of the sample fluid chamber, and 
 wherein the metering fluid acts on the second floating piston to contract the charging chamber. 
 
     
     
       2. A coiled tubing deployed fluid sampling apparatus for collecting a single phase fluid sample from a well extending below a surface of the earth, the apparatus comprising:
 a coiled tubing string having a tubing bore; 
 a housing connected to the coiled tubing string, the housing including an opening; 
 an actuator disposed within the housing, the actuator operable to establish fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the housing through the opening; 
 a first one-way valve disposed within the housing that defines a first end of a sample fluid chamber; 
 a first floating piston disposed within the housing that defines a second end of the sample fluid chamber and a first end of a metering fluid chamber; 
 a second floating piston disposed within the housing that defines a second end of the metering fluid chamber and a first end of a charging chamber; 
 a second one-way valve disposed within the housing that defines a second end of the charging chamber; 
 a pressure source located above the surface of the earth in fluid communication with the charging chamber through the tubing bore; and 
 a restrictor disposed within the housing between the first and second floating pistons, 
 wherein, upon the actuator establishing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the housing through the opening, a fluid sample from the well enters the sample fluid chamber, the fluid sample passes through the first one-way valve and acts on the first floating piston to expand the sample fluid chamber, 
 wherein a metering fluid in the metering fluid chamber passes through the restrictor in response to the fluid sample acting on the first floating piston, the metering fluid controlling the rate of expansion of the sample fluid chamber, and 
 wherein, upon completing the capture of the fluid sample in the sample fluid chamber, fluid pressure in the tubing bore of the coiled tubing string is increased such that the fluid pressure passes through the second one-way valve and acts on the second floating piston to expand the charging chamber and force metering fluid through the restrictor, the metering fluid acting on the first floating piston to contract the sample fluid chamber, thereby pressurizing the fluid sample in the sample fluid chamber.